The Senate approved Senate Bill 446 to better prepare teachers and other school employees to deal with the growing mental health needs of Oklahoma public school students. 

Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, authored the legislation requiring the State Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in consultation with school superintendents and school boards, to develop educator training and resources to improve public school student mental health.

“Educators are very concerned with having more training and tools to address the mental health issues of their students, which are becoming more prevalent each year. Typically, only counselors receive this type of training but it’s important that all school employees know how to recognize the signs and help youth who are struggling,” Haste said. 

“It’s so important to students’ well-being as well as their academic success that they be surrounded by adults they can trust who will listen and help them. These may be the only trustworthy adults in their lives who truly care about them so we must make sure they are properly equipped. This could potentially change the trajectory of their life.”

The training and resources will include information on:

• Services provided by community-based organizations
• The impact trauma can have on a student’s ability to learn
• The availability of mental health evaluation and treatment by telemedicine
• Evidence-based strategies for prevention of at-risk behaviors

SB 446 will next be considered by the Governor.